Workforce Development Specialist

The Center for People is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative services and programs to the low-income community in Lincoln, Nebraska, addressing basic needs and providing opportunities to achieve economic independence for our clients. 

We are currently looking for a Workforce Development Specialist. This position is a full-time, 40 hour per week, onsite position.

 I.   GENERAL FUNCTIONS

The Workforce Development Specialist will play a key role in supporting transitional planning for justice-impacted individuals by offering comprehensive services that include skill-building, education, employer connections, case management, and post-release support. This position also focuses on cultivating and enhancing relationships with employers, facilitating job placements, and optimizing employment outcomes for program participants.

II.            ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

●      Connect program participants to meaningful employment through our network of Employers of Choice

●      Assist the Workforce Development Manager in coordinating company virtual tours of Employers of Choice that showcase day-to-day operations, company culture, employee testimonials, and growth opportunities

●      Manage and regularly update digital job boards to promote employment opportunities, highlight program success stories, and advertise career fairs and job openings

●      Offer personalized support to participants enrolling in the Career Connection program, ensuring smooth transitions and success in the job-search process

●      Schedule regular check-ins (monthly) with participants to support their job search through tailored resume critiques, interview practice, job application assistance, and professional communication with employers

●      Track participants' progress, ensuring continuous follow-up on job searches, employment status, wage adjustments, and job retention

●      Build strong relationships through regular communication, understand and address the unique needs and challenges of both employers and employees, and collaborate to improve these connections

●      Coordinate alumni reintegration events, enacting engagement initiatives, and supporting events as career fairs, all aimed at ensuring a positive and supportive experience for job seekers

●      Schedule meetings with Employers of Choice to monitor participant performance and gather feedback, identifying areas for improvement and advocating for participants

●       Supervise and document activities within the computer and virtual reality labs, ensuring a smooth flow for learners and job seekers

●      Use the HMIS Clarity Database and other various data collection tools to track and measure participant progress and outcomes, and measure program impact, to ensure they meet funder requirements

●      Travel to facilities such as CCCL or LCDC to provide workforce development services and promote our programs

●      Facilitate check-ins, deliver curriculum, and/or provide 5 Keys Classes authorized by the Nebraska Department of Corrections to support justice-impacted community members in their personal development and reintegration efforts.

●      Provide a continuum of care by offering a holistic approach that addresses the diverse needs of justice-impacted community members, ensuring access to resources, emotional support, and skills development for successful reintegration into the workforce.

●      Maintain situational awareness of program environments and the location of participants at all times

●      ●Utilize de-escalation techniques when needed and redirect participants from behaviors that deviate from Center for People standards

●      Communicate with participants to understand their computer-related interests, educational needs, technical proficiency levels, and employment interests

●      Maintain flexible work schedule to ensure organizational needs are being met, may include weekend and evening hours

●      Ability to manage time effectively and discipline to work autonomously

●      Exhibit high integrity and ability to set and maintain ethical professional boundaries with program participants

●      Safeguard and prioritize confidentiality by handling sensitive information with the utmost discretion and integrity

●      Support organizational strategies in response to affirming organizational goals • Operate in accordance with all contracts, government regulations, and Center for People policies and procedures

●      Organize and manage time to ensure organizational needs are being met within the time restraints

●      Other duties as assigned

 
III.          REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

●     Strong interpersonal and communication skills; both verbal and written, including communicating with a wide variety of stakeholders

●     Strong leadership skills that can be leveraged in a collaborative setting

●     Must be able to proactively think, plan, and execute resourcefully

●     Must be able to solve problems and be solution-oriented

●     Ability to work independently and to handle multiple projects and priorities

●     Proficiency in programs including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, Interplay Learning, HMIS Clarity Database, GoSkills, Coursera, and Penn Foster

●     Willingness and ability to learn new software programs

●     Ability to receive constructive feedback

●     Ability to take personal accountability for fulfilling job responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative and ownership of personal

●     Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with internal and external stakeholders

●     Skilled at possessing professionalism, courtesy, tact, and sound judgement

 IV.          DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Organizational Development, or related field preferred, OR a minimum of 2 years of work experience in supervision, case management, career or education counseling, or related field.

 
V.            MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

●      Graduation from a senior high school or equivalent

●      Must 18 years of age

●      Valid Nebraska driver’s license and current motor vehicle insurance

VI.          WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, frequently is required to sit, occasionally to stand; walk; arms reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally move up to 30 pounds regularly. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus when operating a computer, working with numbers, and use of forklift and other heavy machinery. Work is primarily in an indoor setting.  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Salary : $22